Death toll from devastating earthquake in Turkey rises to 5,434

WORLD, Feb. 08 (YPA) – Turkish authorities announced that the death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck the south of the country has risen to 5,434 and more than 31,000 injured.

The Turkish president said about 55,000 rescue and emergency workers are now working in the field in the ten quake-hit states.

Turkey’s infrastructure minister said 13.5 million people were directly affected by the quake.

Moreover, Turkish defense minister confirmed the call of 4 military battalions from northern Cyprus to participate in the rescue operations.

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said today that “the current earthquake is the largest natural disaster we have faced in the history of the Turkish Republic.”

“The number of buildings that were completely destroyed in the Turkish province of Kahramanmaraş (alone) is 941 buildings, according to official statistics, and our estimates are that the real numbers may be much higher,” Soylu explained.

Rescue operations continue in Syria and Turkey amid rising casualties and fears of aftershocks from the devastating earthquake that struck several areas in the two countries.

E.M